Fifteen participants showed up for the Mitchell Canyon trip at Mt. Diablo on April 20. The weather started out cool, overcast, and windy. Many species were heard as we began walking along Mitchell Creek, but it was challenging to get good looks. Acorn Woodpecker, Cooper’s Hawk, and Bushtit nests were a nice treat and easy for the group to get long looks at adults coming and going. Western Tanager, Nashville Warbler, Townsend’s Warbler, Yellow Warbler, and Black-throated Gray Warbler were seen briefly high up in the tree canopy. One big oak tree next to the trail had many Townsend’s Warblers singing away and quickly zipping around in and out of view. A slower paced Warbling Vireo gave better looks for the group. Multiple Black-headed Grosbeaks and Wilson’s Warblers were heard in the dense riparian but never seen. Several members of our group saw a MacGillivray’s Warbler skulking in the undergrowth. Higher up in the chaparral, the group got great looks at a Hutton’s Vireo. After patiently staking out a location for hummingbirds, we first saw a male Rufous, and then at last multiple Calliope showed up with some pausing long enough for our whole group to get fantastic looks. By the end of the trip, it was sunnier and warmer with more bird activity to keep us company on our return to the parking lot. 51 species were seen or heard.

Received from trip leader Michael Strom